Valve construction

ABSTRACT

A valve construction is provided for use in manually controlling the flow of a fluid under pressure. The valve construction in question is particularly suitable for use in sphygmomanometer apparatus. The valve construction includes a hollow body member having an inlet and an outlet and a port formed in the body member and disposed intermediate said inlet and outlet. A closure piece is adjustably mounted on the body member for movement towards and away from a port-closing position. The closure piece is biased to assume a non-closing position with respect to the port. A manually actuated means is adjustably mounted on the body member and is in sliding engagement with the closure piece to effect selective positioning of the latter with respect to the port. The manually actuated means is in continuous contact with the closure piece.

[ Aug.7, 1973 VALVE CONSTRUCTION [75] lnventor: Zygmunt Natkanski, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, St. Paul, Minn.

221 Filed: Nov. 24, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 201,778

[52] US. Cl 251/77, 251/278, 251/251, 137/583 [51] Int. Cl F16k 31/524 [58] Field of Search 137/583, 636.4; 2.51/77, 278, 340, 263, 251, 203, 145

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,715,512 8/1955 Miller et al. 251/340 X Primary Examiner Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney Albert H. Pendleton, Arthur A. Olson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A valve construction is provided for use in manually controlling the flow of a fluid under pressure. The valve construction in question is particularly suitable for use in sphygmomanometer apparatus. The valve construction includes a hollow body member having an inlet and an outlet and a port formed in the body member and disposed intennediate said inlet and outlet. A closure piece is adjustably mounted on the body member for movement towards and away from a port-closing position. The closure piece is biased to assume a nonclosing position with respect to the port. A manually actuated means is adjustably mounted on the body member and is in sliding engagement with the closure piece to effect selective positioning of the latter with respect to the port. The manually actuated means is in continuous contact with the closure piece.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing, Figures PATENTED MIB 7 I975 SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG.4

FIG.3

VALVE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various valves for use in sphygmomanometer apparatus have heretofore been provided; however, because of certain design characteristics, they have been beset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) they were difficult to manually manipulate and oftentimes required both hands of the person taking the blood pressure measurements of a patient; (b) the various components were subject to wear, or the various moving parts were subject to sticking; and (c) they were incapable of permitting accurate control of the volume of air being exhausted from the system and frequently, certain of the valve components became disassembled and lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a valve construction of the type described which avoids the aforenoted shortcomings that beset prior constructions.

Further and additional objects of the invention will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a valve construction is provided which is adapted to be used in sphygmomanorneter apparatus. The valve construction includes a hollow body member having an inlet and an outlet disposed at opposite ends thereof. A port is formed in the member and is disposed intermediate the inlet and outlet. A closure piece is adjustably mounted within theport and controls the amount of air flow outwardly through the port. A biasing means is provided for biasing the closure piece to an open position with respect to the port. A passage is formed in the body member having one end thereof communicating with the port, when the closure piece is in an open position, and the other end thereof terminating at the exterior of the body member. A manually actuatable control element is adjustably mounted on the exterior of the body member. The control element is provided with a cam surface which is in continuous engagement with the biasedclosure piece. When the control element is manually actuated, the cam surface will slidably engage the closure piece and cause same to be moved towards or away from a closed position with respect to the port, depending upon the direction the control element is actuated.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the improved valve construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the valve construction of FIG. 1 and showing the closure piece in a port-closing position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2. i I

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing a modified form of the improved valve construction.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS, 1-3, one form of the improved valve construction is shown which includes an elongated hollow body member 11 having an inlet 12 and an outlet l3 located at opposite ends of member 11. The inlet and outlet are of such configuration as to receive pressure hoses, not shown. Furthermore, inlet 12 is adapted to accommodate a filter unit 14, which is a standard component in valve construction used in sphygmomanometer apparatus. The interior of member 11 is provided with an elongated bore 15 which interconnects the inlet and outlet.

Disposed intermediate the inlet and outlet and in communication with bore 15 is a transversely extending port 16 which is formed in the body member 11. The outer end 16a of the port terminates at the exterior of the body member. The inner end 16b of the port is of reduced size thereby forming an annular shoulder 16c. Adjustably mounted in the outer end portion 16a of the port is a closure piece 17. The inner end 17a of the piece 17 is tapered and is adapted to closeoff the inner end 16b of the port, when the piece 17 is in one position of adjustment. The outer end 17b of the piece is enlarged and has a rounded outer surface which protrudes from the outer end 16a of the port 16. The outer periphery of the enlarged end 1717 is sized relative to the circumference of the port end portion 160 so as to permit the closure piece to slide within the port 16.

A coil spring 18 is provided, which encompasses the central shank portion 17c of the closure piece and is compressed between the port shoulder 16c and the enlarged end 17b of the closure piece. The spring 18 exerts an outward bias on the closure piece 17.

The central portionof the body member 11 hasa stepped, shouldered exterior co-nfiguratiom A first shoulder 20 is formed on the exterior adjacent the inlet end. Extending downstream, or down from shoulder 20, as viewed in FIG. 2, is an annular exterior portion 21. The downstream end of portion 21 forms a second shoulder 22. A second annular exterior portion 23 of reduced diameter extends downstream from shoulder 22. The outer end 160 of port 16 terminates at exterior portion 23, see FIG. 1. The downstream end of exterior portion 23 terminates in a third shoulder 24.

A third annular exterior portion 25 extends downstream from shoulder 24. The downstream end of portion 25 terminates adjacent the outlet 13. As seen in FIG. 2, portion 25 is provided with an elongated pas sage 26 which extends from the outer end portion 16a of port 16 formed in portion 23 to the end face 25a of exterior portion 25. Passage 26 serves as a means of venting to the atmosphere the air which flows through port end 16b past the tapered end 17a of the closure piece 17.

Rotatably mounted on the exterior portion 21 of body member 11 is an elongated sleeve element 27.

The axial length of element 27 is such that it overlies, but is spaced from, the exterior portion 25 of body member 11. The cylindrical portion 27a of the interior surface of sleeve element 27, which is in registration with the exterior portion 21 of the body member, is concentric with the axis of bore 15 and is in sliding engagement with portion 21; whereas, the portion 27b of the interior surface of sleeve element 27, which is in registration with exterior portion 23 of the body member l l, is provided with a cam sector C, see FIG. 3. The circular length of section C, as shown, is approximately however, it may be greater or less if desired. The ends 28 and 30 of the cam sector C serve as stops in limiting the extent to which the sleeve element 27 can be rotated relative to the body member 11. The manner in which the sector ends 28 and 30 serve as stops will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

The sleeve element 27 is held in assembled relation with the body member 1 l by a ring-shape end piece 31 which is adapted to snugly fit over the exterior portion 25 of the body member 11. As seen in FIG. 1, end piece 31 has formed on its inner face, a protuberance 31a which is in the form of a circular ring sector. The circular length of the protuberance 31a is substantially less than the spacing between the ends 28 and 30 of the cam sector C formed on sleeve element 27. The remainder of the inner face of the end piece 31 engages the adjacent end face of the sleeve element 27 and prevents the latter from moving axially once it is assembled on the body member 11. A transversely disposed locking screw 32 is carried by end piece 31 and is adapted to hold the end piece in a fixed position on the exterior portion -25 of the body member, see FIG. 2.

To facilitate manual adjustment of the sleeve element once it is assembled on the body member, the exterior surface of the sleeve element may be ribbed or roughened. As the sleeve element is manually turned in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 3, the cam sector C of the element will permit the closure piece 17, under the urging of the spring 18, to move outwardly relative to the bore 15 thereby causing the inner end 16b of port 16 to be uncovered and allowing the compressed air within bore 15 to bleed out through passage 26. The rate at which the air escapes through port end 160 will depend upon the extent to which the tapered end 17a of the closure piece 17 is unseated. The more that sleeve element 27 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the greater the air flow through passage 26. When end 30 of the cam section C engages the end piece protuberance 31a, the tapered end of the closure piece is in its fully unseated position.

FIGS. 4 and show a modified form of valve construction 33 wherein a body member 11' is provided which is similar in many respects to the body member 11, previously described. The principal structural difference between the two body members is that in body member 11' there is only the shoulder 20' formed on the exterior which is adjacent the inlet end 12. The remainder of the central portion 21 of body member 11 is of uniform cylindrical configuration. An elongated, longitudinally extending recessed guideway 2la is formed in the exterior of member 21. The guideway extends downstream from shoulder 20 the full length of central portion 21.

In place of the rotatable sleeve element 27, valve construction 33 is provided with a modified sleeve element 34, which snugly encompasses the central portion 21' of the body member 11' and is fixed with respect thereto. As seen in FIG. 5, one side 34a of the element 34 is flattened and is provided with an elongated slot 34b which is substantially coextensive with the guideway 2l'a formed in the body member 11.

The guideway and slot are adapted to slidably accommodate a slide piece 35. A portion 35a of piece 35 projects outwardly from element 34 and is adapted to be manually engaged when adjustment of the valve is required. The inner elongated surface 35b of piece 35 forms a cam surface which is in continuous engagement with the outer end of the outwardly biased closure piece 17', the latter being disposed in the port 16'. The

slide piece 35, when in the position shown in FIG. 4,

causes the closure piece 17' to close off the inner end of the port 16. As the slide piece 35 is manually moved along the guideway and slot towards the outlet end 13' of the body member 11, the closure piece 17' will move away from the inner end 16'b of the port 16', thereby permitting the compressed air to flow outwardly through the port end l6'b and then through passage 26'.

The closure piece 17, in the illustrated embodiment, varies from piece 17 in that the tapered end l7'a thereof comprises a rubberlike insert. The central shank portion 17'c of piece 17 is hollow and open at its inner end so as to accommodate an outwardly extending portion P of the insert. If the tapered end of the insert should wear, said insert may be readily replaced. If desired, a closure piece such as piece 17' may be utilized in valve construction 10 in place of the closure piece 17.

The slide piece 35 is held in assembled relation with respect to the sleeve element 34 by a pair of holddown strips 36 disposed on opposite sides of the outwardly projecting portion of the slide piece. Each strip is disposed within a suitable recess 37 formed in the flat surface 34a of the element 34. Screws 38 or other suitable means, may be used to retain the strips in the respective recesses. If desired, the outwardly projecting portion of the slide piece 35 may be provided with a transversely extending flange 350 which slidably engages the exposed surfaces of the strips 36 and thus, retains movement of the slide piece in a given plane. The downstream end of each strip 36 is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 36a which functions as a stop for the slide piece 35 and prevents the latter from being moved beyond the downstream end of the sleeve element 34.

With either form of the improved valve construction the sleeve element 27, or the slide piece 35, may be readily adjusted with one finger. Furthermore, the extent of the air flow through the port may be accurately controlled thereby increasing the reliability of measurements taken when the valve construction is being used in a sphygmomanometer apparatus. The improved valve construction is of simple design, and readily avoids the possibility of the closure piece becoming stuck in a port-closing position. v

I claim:

1. A valve for use in a sphygmomanometer to manually control the release of pressured air therefrom during a predetermined time interval, said valve comprising a hollow body member having an inlet through which pressured air flows into the body member interior during a first time interval and an outlet spaced from said inlet and through which pressured air flows out of the body member interior duringsaid first time interval and through which pressured air flows in the opposite direction during a second time interval; a pressured air release port formed in said body member intermediate said inlet and outlet and in communication with the body member interior; an elongated closure piece slidably mounted on said body member for movement into and out of a release port-closing position, the inner end of said closure piece being tapered and in resilient sealing engagement with the portion of said body member delimiting said port when said closure piece is in said release port-closing position, spring means for biasing said closure piece out of said release port-closing position, the outer end of said closure piece continuously projecting outwardly from the exterior of said body member, an air release passageway formed in said body member and having one end thereof terminating at the exterior of said body member and the other end thereof communicating with said port only when said closure piece has been moved away from the release port-closing position; and manually actuated means adjustably mounted on the exterior of said body member, said means having a cam surface in continuous frictional sliding engagement with the outer end of said closure piece, said means being selectively adjustable independently of said body member whereby said closure piece is movable relative to said port so as to control the rate of outward flow of pressured air through said port during said second time interval.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein said manually actuated means includes a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said body member, said sleeve being manually actuated through only a predetermined sector, said sleeve being in frictional engagement with said body member exterior whereby said sleeve remains in a selected position of adjustment until manually moved therefrom.

3. The valve of claim 1 wherein the inner end of said closure piece comprises a resilient element which is removably connected to the outer end of said closure piece.

4. The valve of claim 8 wherein said manually actuated means includes a slide piece mounted for reciprocatory linear movement on said body member; said slide piece having a cam surface in continuous contact with the outer end of said closure piece; said carn surface moving said closure piece towards a port-closing position upon said slide piece being manually moved in one direction relative to said body member, said slide piece, when in a selected position of linear adjustment,

effecting closing of said port by said closure piece.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 751, 000 Dated August 7 1973 lnventofls) Zygmunt Natkanski It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 1, the assignee should be "Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company."

Column 6, line 9, "claim 8" should read claim 1 Signed and sealed this 20th day of November 1973.

('SEAL) Attest: I

EDWARD I EFLETCHER E. RENE D. EGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents USCOMM -DC 60376-P69 v a n In ummic omcr: nu o-Ju-Jim FORM PO-i O50 (lo-69) 

1. A valve for use in a sphygmomanometer to manually control the release of pressured air therefrom during a predetermined time interval, said valve comprising a hollow body member having an inlet through which pressured air flows into the body member interior during a first time interval and an outlet spaced from said inlet and through which pressured air flows out of the body member interior during said first time interval and through which pressured air flows in the opposite direction during a second time interval; a pressured air release port formed in said body member intermediate said inlet and outlet and in communication with the body member interior; an elongated closure piece slidably mounted on said body member for movement into and out of a release port-closing position, the inner end of said closure piece being tapered and in resilient sealing engagement with the portion of said body member delimiting said port when said closure piece is in said release port-closing position, spring means for biasing said closure piece out of said release portclosing position, the outer end of said closure piece continuously projecting outwardly from the exterior of said body member, an air release passageway formed in said body member and having one end thereof terminating at the exterior of said body member and the other end thereof communicating with said port only when said closure piece has been moved away from the release port-closing position; and manually actuated means adjustably mounted on the exterior of said body member, said means having a cam surface in continuous frictional sliding engagement with the outer end of said closure piece, said means being selectively adjustable independently of said body member whereby said closure piece is movable relative to said port so as to control the rate of outward flow of pressured air through said port during said second time interval.
 2. The valve of claim 1 wherein said manually actuated means includes a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of said body member, said sleeve being manually actuated through only a predetermined sector, said sleeve being in frictional engagement with said body member exterior whereby said sleeve remains in a selected position of adjustment until manually moved therefrom.
 3. The valve of claim 1 wherein the inner end of said closure piece comprises a resilient element which is removably connected to the outer end of said closure piece.
 4. The valve of claim 8 wherein said manually actuated means includes a slide piece mounted for reciprocatory linear movement on said body member; said slide piece having a cam surface in continuous contact with the outer end of said closure piece; said cam surface moving said closure piece towards a port-closing position upon said slide piece being manually moved in one direction relative to said body member, said slide piece, when in a selected position of linear adjustment, effecting closing of said port by said closure piece. 